UNDP in Yemen

UNDP and the UN System

UN System in Yemen

UNDP works with the entire UN System in Yemen through a number of mechanisms.

UNDP heads all other UN agencies in Yemen form the UN Country Team (UNCT), which joins to coordinate development assistance at a programmatic level through regular meetings and the development of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF). This framework enables the UN to act as one in supporting Yemen’s development priorities.

Technical and managerial oversight of programmes is then managed through the UN Core Group (UNCG)

Based on the mandates, direction and supervision of the UNCT, UNDP engages in various cross cutting thematic groups and task forces including:

UN Joint Team on AIDS;

UN Humanitarian Country Team (UNHCT);

UN Operations Management Team (OMT);

Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) Task Force; and

UNDAF Outcome Group. The UNDAF Outcome Group monitors the implementation of programmes on the UNDAF and works on joint programming. The group consists of four sub-groups working in the areas of: Governance, Gender, Population and Basic Social Services; and- Pro-poor economic growth.

The new UNDAF (2012-2015) targets the vulnerable population and is geared to support acceleration of MDG progress using Human Rights Based Approach, mainstreaming conflict prevention and promoting interface between humanitarian and development, which was put on hold due to political and military crisis of 2011 that resulted to a peace deal by GCC and formulation of a Transition Plan for Stabilization and Development (2012-2014). Towards this a Joint United Nations Framework to Support the Transition in Yemen (2012-2014) was formulated and adopted. This multi-dimensional framework was intended to support a peaceful and inclusive transition. Six United Nations Joint Working Groups were established:

Gender – Co-chaired by UNFPA and UN Women

Sustainable Livelihood and Employment – Co-chaired by UNDP and WFP

Basic Social Services – Co-chaired by UNICEF and WHO

Democratic Governance – Co-chaired by UNDP and IOM

Rule of Law and Justice – Co-chaired by OHCHR and UNHCR

National Dialogue – Chaired by UN-DPA

JOINT UN FRAMEWORK (2012-2014): OBJECTIVES AND STRUCTURE

The Joint UN Framework is the plan of United Nations support for the political transition in Yemen, which was requested in the November 2011 transition agreement, and which includes support from the UN Secretary-General’s good offices and the agencies, programmes, funds and departments of the UN. To support this transition, and to end the deterioration in human security, the Joint UN Framework provides for an immediate, concerted and multi-dimensional response from the United Nations in Yemen, which will be consistent with and complement existing humanitarian and development plans.

A core assumption underlying the Joint UN Framework is that the ongoing efforts to bring about a political transition in Yemen constitute an historic opportunity for the people of Yemen to move towards a more inclusive and participatory system of democracy and development. In this context, supporting the human, material and institutional conditions needed for such a political transition is a priority for the United Nations in Yemen.

Based on the November 2011 transition agreement, the Joint UN Framework is a focused two-year plan of support, with two overall objectives:

To provide the national stakeholders in Yemen with the assistance required to successfully complete the political transition as stated in Part VI of the concluding Provisions of the transition agreement; and

To contribute to the creation of an environment that is conducive for the transition period to contribute to a greater democracy and development for the people of Yemen.

Given the complexity of the transition in Yemen, and the need to support the transitional process in a timely and effective manner, the Joint UN Framework requires a broad-based partnership with state and non-state stakeholders, including national and international organizations, community-based organizations, and the private sector. The plan makes the most of the national and international implementing and advisory capacities available in the country, as well as the comparative advantages of the United Nations in Yemen.

To support the steps outlined in the transition agreement and to address the above mentioned drivers of crisis, the Joint UN Framework is organized around four core components:

Political dialogue and transition: helping national stakeholders to hold the Conference for National Dialogue, to build consensus and conflict resolution mechanisms, and to bring about an inclusive and non-violent transition.

Democratic governance: accelerating institutional reforms which are essential to support the electoral cycle, to empower democratic institutions, and to foster local governance.

Sustainable livelihoods and basic social services: accelerating pro-poor and inclusive economic growth, creating immediate jobs and income generating opportunities for groups at risk (youth, women and poorer segments of society), and re-establishing and boosting basic social services and other social protection mechanisms.

Transitional justice, rule of law, and security sector reform: supporting institutional reforms to fight impunity, empowering state and non-state actors to tackle abuses of power, enhancing the state’s accountability in justice and security, and supporting the establishment of transitional justice mechanisms.

Yemen’s UNDP Resident Representative serves as the Resident Coordinator and UNDP hosts the Office of the Resident Coordinator and accompanying staff.

UNDP participates and engages with the larger donor community through bilateral and multilateral meetings and initiatives in relation to Yemen’s development concerns and priorities, as well as through the bi-monthly Donor Forum Meeting for UN agencies and Donor Governments/Organizations.